MAYOR AND THE UNEMPLOYED

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13798, 10 July 1908, Page 6

MA YOR AND THE UNEMPLOYED

A LARGE DEPUTATION.

A deputation of about 80 unemployed interviewed the Mayor of Auckland and the City Council Works Committee yesterday regarding their workless condition. Thespeakers from the ranks of.the men (Messrs. 0. Mason, R. F. Way, and Thompson) were reinforced by Messrs. W. P. Black, A. J. Black, Sinclair, Hall, and others. It.was contended that there were many unemployed in the city, and that there were about 500 married men seeking employment. It was stated that there were 1400 members of tin? Waterside Workers' Union, with employment on the wharf available for not more than 500. The statement was made by one speaker that the condition of the Dominion labour market had been misrepresented in England, and this misrepresentation had induced many pcop'e to come here and swell the ranks of the unemployed. The Mayor was asked to bring the matter before the City Council. The Mayor said the Council would consider the representations made very seriously. An opportunity should be given to all ablebodied men to make a living. The present City Council, in pursuance of its progressive policy, bad embarked on many important public works, including a drainage scheme- that would cost nearly half a million. This would give much employment, and when the Drainage Bill was passed the city engineer would be instructed to commence operations immediately. A poll was to be taken that month asking the ratepayers to authorise a loan of £132,000 for city works) and if the loan were floated a great deal of work would bo provided. " He would convey their representations to the Prime Minister, and the Government might possibly hasten the erection of the new. post office and the duplication ,of the Parnell tunnel. (Applause.) The deputation thanked the Mayor and withdrew, after promising to furnish him with a list of : the, men actually, out of work.